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  • Official: Honda CR-Z and Fit hybrids on sale in 2010

    Official: Honda CR-Z and Fit hybrids on sale in 2010 July 12th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, July 12th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 3 Comments

    Official: Honda CR-Z and Fit hybrids on sale in 2010 Honda today announced plans to begin sales in Japan of the CR-Z hybrid sports car in February 2010 and a Fit hybrid before the end of 2010. By combining these two models with the currently available Insight and Civic Hybrid, Honda will further enhance its lineup of compact hybrid models and help it become one of the ‘greenest’ automakers in the world.

    Both cars will be powered by Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA), also found in the Insight and Civic hybrids. In the case of the Insight, the IMA incorporates a 13hp (10kW) electric motor and a compact Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) – recapturing and storing kinetic energy... Honda today announced plans to begin sales in Japan of the CR-Z hybrid sports car in February 2010 and a Fit hybrid before the end of 2010. By combining these two models with the currently available Insight and Civic Hybrid, Honda will further enhance its lineup of compact hybrid models and help it become one of the ‘greenest’ automakers in the world. Both cars will be powered by Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA), also found in the Insight and Civic hybrids. In the case of the Insight, the IMA incorporates a 13hp (10kW) electric motor and a compact Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) – recapturing and storing kinetic energy from vehicle braking and deceleration and supplying additional power for acceleration when needed. The CR-Z will be heavily influenced by 2007’s concept car of the same name and is expected to make its world debut in production trim at this October’s Tokyo Motor Show. The new model is currently being designed and engineered in Europe, its expected key market, and is rumored to feature a 140hp (105kW) peak power rating from its hybrid drivetrain. Not much is known about the Fit hybrid but previous reports have suggested that it could cost about ¥1.5 million (approximately $15,800) when it goes on sale late next year. Honda also confirmed today that it is working on a new hybrid system designed for mid and fullsize vehicles but no release dates have been mentioned yet.2009 Honda FitHonda CR-Z Concept Read More

  • Report: Honda planning late 2010 launch for Hybrid Fit (Jazz)

    Report: Honda planning late 2010 launch for Hybrid Fit (Jazz) May 27th, 2009 ByJeremy Weber Jeremy Weber, Author, May 27th, 2009 Jeremy Weber 4 Comments

    Report: Honda planning late 2010 launch for Hybrid Fit (Jazz) Honda's new hybrid strategy is focused on reducing the cost of hybrid components and introducing the fuel-saving technology into new markets, including the ultra-competitive compact car segment. We’ve already seen the first of these low-cost hybrids in the form of the recently launched Insight, and this is likely to be followed by a performance hybrid based on the CR-Z concept car from 2007’s Tokyo Motor Show, as well as a hybrid version of the Fit (Jazz) hatchback.

    The Fit Hybrid is especially surprising considering Honda's previously held view that there was no point adding a hybrid option to an already frugal car, but a new... Honda's new hybrid strategy is focused on reducing the cost of hybrid components and introducing the fuel-saving technology into new markets, including the ultra-competitive compact car segment. We’ve already seen the first of these low-cost hybrids in the form of the recently launched Insight, and this is likely to be followed by a performance hybrid based on the CR-Z concept car from 2007’s Tokyo Motor Show, as well as a hybrid version of the Fit (Jazz) hatchback. The Fit Hybrid is especially surprising considering Honda's previously held view that there was no point adding a hybrid option to an already frugal car, but a new report claims the car is coming and will be on sale by the second half of next year - one and a half years earlier than previously thought. On top of that, Japan’s Nikkei business daily is also reporting that the new CR-Z and Fit hybrids will be joined by a new Civic hybrid by the end of 2012. The key to their success will be the lower costs of their hybrid systems, which in turns means lower price tags for consumers. To keep costs low, Honda engineers have focused on more efficient manufacturing processes for high-cost features such as the batteries and hybrid control modules. Honda spokeswoman Akemi Ando said the carmaker has not decided the timing of release, price or sales target for the Fit hybrid, but the reports claim the Fit hybrid will retail for about ¥1.5 million (approximately $15,800) when it goes on sale next year.2009 Honda Fit Read More

  • Small cars rated poorly in new IIHS crash test

    Small cars rated poorly in new IIHS crash test April 14th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, April 14th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 10 Comments

    Small cars rated poorly in new IIHS crash test The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has just come to a conclusion that we suspect many motorists have known for years - when it comes to car safety, size does matter. Conducting tests pitting micro cars against larger midsize vehicles, the IIHS found that in many cases the smaller cars were not able to afford their passengers the same level of protection as their larger counterparts.

    Unlike tests that show just how much damage SUVs can cause to micro cars, the focus on midsize vehicles, such as the Toyota Camry, was used to present a fairer testing scenario, rather than say crashing a Toyota Yaris into a Hummer.

    In total,... The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has just come to a conclusion that we suspect many motorists have known for years - when it comes to car safety, size does matter. Conducting tests pitting micro cars against larger midsize vehicles, the IIHS found that in many cases the smaller cars were not able to afford their passengers the same level of protection as their larger counterparts. Unlike tests that show just how much damage SUVs can cause to micro cars, the focus on midsize vehicles, such as the Toyota Camry, was used to present a fairer testing scenario, rather than say crashing a Toyota Yaris into a Hummer. In total, three tests were conducted and included the use of a Smart ForTwo, a Honda Fit (Jazz) and a Toyota Yaris. All three cars were then put in head-on crashes with midsize vehicles manufactured by their own respective companies - for the ForTwo, it was put up against a Mercedes Benz C-Class, while the Fit took on the Honda Accord and the Yaris faced the Toyota Camry. For many, the test results were not really that surprising in their eventual outcomes, but it was the sheer spectacular nature of the crashes that was a shock. For example, when the ForTwo and the C-Class collided, the diminutive Smart was launched into the air where it was spun around 450 degrees before landing - this resulted in the possibility of extensive injuries to the occupants, including to the head and neck. The results were not dissimilar in the other match-ups, and the tests contradict previous IIHS safety ratings for the Yaris, Fit and ForTwo. Previous head-on crashes into deformable barriers earned these cars the IIHS' highest rating of 'good', but when pitted against cars that were twice their weight, all three models scored the worst rating of 'poor'. Despite the results, many manufacturers are claiming that the tests depict an extremely unusual and severe crash. In reality, the tests haven't done much to alter the way we look at small cars in terms of their safety aspects - rather, they've just proven the basic laws of physics. Read More

  • Ward’s Auto announces 2009 Interior of the Year winners

    Ward’s Auto announces 2009 Interior of the Year winners April 8th, 2009 ByJeremy Weber Jeremy Weber, Author, April 8th, 2009 Jeremy Weber 2 Comments

    Ward’s Auto announces 2009 Interior of the Year winners While we all like to go on about horsepower or differentials or suspension arms when discussing new cars, we often overlook the place where you and your car will spend the most time together - inside the cabin. In order to recognize this aspect of vehicle development, Ward’s Auto releases a list every year for the best car interiors in a number of different vehicle segments.

    After driving the vehicles over a two month period, judges evaluated the them during their daily driving cycles and awarded points for design, material selection, fit-and-finish, ergonomics, driver information, safety, value and comfort.

    For 2009, the awards were... While we all like to go on about horsepower or differentials or suspension arms when discussing new cars, we often overlook the place where you and your car will spend the most time together - inside the cabin. In order to recognize this aspect of vehicle development, Ward’s Auto releases a list every year for the best car interiors in a number of different vehicle segments. After driving the vehicles over a two month period, judges evaluated the them during their daily driving cycles and awarded points for design, material selection, fit-and-finish, ergonomics, driver information, safety, value and comfort. For 2009, the awards were not dominated by luxury car brands that like to swathe their interiors in leather and wood as you might think - rather than that it was the cheaper end of the spectrum that impressed the judges most. For example, taking out the top prize for an economy-priced car was the Honda Fit Sport, which managed to capture the judges' attention thanks to its high-quality feel and clever design. Kia's new Soul was given the award for the “grooviest interior”, and with its red dashboard and lights that flash to the beat of music we would probably have to agree with that one. Interestingly, the award for the best interior in a premium priced car was given to the Acura TL, while the award for the best interior in a popularly-priced car went to the Volkswagen CC. For sports cars, the new Nissan 370Z in Touring trim managed to claim the best interior award, while the Dodge Ram won in the popularly-priced truck category. The Ford Flex took out the award for premium-priced trucks, while the Ford Fusion hybrid won for best graphic display - giving Ford two winners in the competition, more than any other manufacturer. Meanwhile, the new Audi A4 won the award for the best interior redesign, and the premium Lexus RX 450h won an award for having “design harmony”. Finally, the award for best brand expression went to the Cadillac CTS-V, with the judges noting the car's handsome instrument stack and long list of electronic gadgets as some of the highlights. This year’s winners are as follows: - Honda Fit Sport (Economy-priced car) - Volkswagen CC (Popular-priced car) - Kia Soul (Grooviest Interior) - Acura TL (Premium-priced car) - Nissan 370Z Touring (Sports car) - Dodge Ram (Popular-priced truck) - Ford Flex (Premium-priced truck) - Audi A4 (Best Redesign) - Ford Fusion Hybrid (Best Graphic Display) - Lexus RX 450h (Design Harmony) - Cadillac CTS-V (Best Brand Expression) Read More

  • Toyota planning inexpensive Yaris-based hybrid

    Toyota planning inexpensive Yaris-based hybrid March 25th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, March 25th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 0 Comments

    Toyota planning inexpensive Yaris-based hybrid Ford has its new Fusion, Honda has the Insight, and Toyota's new Prius is about to hit the streets. But already the next generation of the hybrid wars is drawing up its battle lines, and this time it's smaller. Toytoa is planing a Yaris-based hybrid to take on Honda's Fit hybrid, due around 2011-2012.

    Toyota is actually positioning the Yaris to do battle with the Insight, however, continuing the company's angle of portraying the Honda hybrid as smaller and further down-segment than the Prius.

    "We are developing a low-priced hybrid vehicle like Honda's Insight," Akihiko Otsuka, chief engineer of the new 2010 Prius, told the Nikkei. "We are... Ford has its new Fusion, Honda has the Insight, and Toyota's new Prius is about to hit the streets. But already the next generation of the hybrid wars is drawing up its battle lines, and this time it's smaller. Toytoa is planing a Yaris-based hybrid to take on Honda's Fit hybrid, due around 2011-2012. Toyota is actually positioning the Yaris to do battle with the Insight, however, continuing the company's angle of portraying the Honda hybrid as smaller and further down-segment than the Prius. "We are developing a low-priced hybrid vehicle like Honda's Insight," Akihiko Otsuka, chief engineer of the new 2010 Prius, told the Nikkei. "We are going to compete by expanding our hybrid-vehicle lineup to smaller hybrids, in the class of the [Japanese-market] Vitz and Yaris." But American's might more readily analogize the very similar-looking Insight to the Prius and therefore compare the Fit to the Yaris hybrid. Either way, it's the public that will benefit as a new generation of compact, inexpensive and highly efficient hybrids comes to market. Pricing for the third-gen Prius is still unannounced, but the Yaris hybrid will certainly check in several thousand dollars below its bigger brother, and may even come in well below the $20,000 mark - a target Honda has just managed for its Insight. The Yaris will need to stay cheap to compete with the Fit, which is expected to start at about $2,000 more than the standard Fit's $14,750 starting price when it finally arrives around 2015. The hybrid drivetrain would be adapted from the Prius application, using the same time-tested and inexpensive nickel-metal hydride batteries instead of more expensive and finicky lithium-ion units. Engines will also likely be co-opted from the existing Toyota lineup, possibly even offering an application for the second-gen Prius' 1.5L engine, now replaced with a 1.8L unit in the 2010 model. Read More

  • Honda previews 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon concepts

    Honda previews 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon concepts January 6th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, January 6th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 2 Comments

    Honda previews 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon concepts While U.S. carmakers prepare for the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, Honda is readying a range of concepts to show off at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon, which celebrates Japan's modified vehicles. The headline concepts are a pair of Sports Modulo cars based on the S2000 and Fit (Jazz).

    Modulo is Honda's Japanese-market factory customization, and the Sports Modulo S2000 Concept and Sports Modulo Fit Concept are intended to show what could be in the works for future customization packages. The aggressive and flamboyant exterior styling is matched inside both cars with upgraded materials and finishes. Little in the way of details is yet known about the... While U.S. carmakers prepare for the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, Honda is readying a range of concepts to show off at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon, which celebrates Japan's modified vehicles. The headline concepts are a pair of Sports Modulo cars based on the S2000 and Fit (Jazz). Modulo is Honda's Japanese-market factory customization, and the Sports Modulo S2000 Concept and Sports Modulo Fit Concept are intended to show what could be in the works for future customization packages. The aggressive and flamboyant exterior styling is matched inside both cars with upgraded materials and finishes. Little in the way of details is yet known about the two cars, though Honda has released these images. Full information will come once the Tokyo Auto Salon gets underway on January 9. Several other concepts will be joining the Sports Modulo vehicles: a Racing Modulo Civic Type R competition car, a pair of Life and Crossroad Styling Study Models, and a range of cars and motorcycles featuring Honda's full range of upgrade equipment, audio and navigation systems and other accessories.Honda at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon Read More

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